George Floyd protests: Real estate agent fired after using photo of van on fire to sell properties

Joseph Swedroe sent an email with an NYPD van on fire to entice people to move to South Florida

A luxury real estate agent was fired after he used a New York Police Department (NYPD) van on fire during George Floyd protests as a way to entice New Yorkers to move to South Florida.

Joseph Swedroe sent an email to prospective buyers titled “Looking for Change?” with an NYPD van on fire in the body of the message that was then compared the images of sandy beaches in Florida, The Real Deal reported.

The email asked residents if they would prefer to live in “chaos or comfort,” alluding to the current unrest in New York City and other parts of the country following the death of Mr Floyd at the hands of four former Minneapolis police officers.

After Mr Floyd’s death two weeks ago, Black Lives Matter protests launched across the country. Although a majority of the protests remained peaceful, some involved the burning of police property and looting of businesses.

Mr Swedroe, who’s worked as a licensed real estate agent since 2010, told the real estate site his intention was not to be offensive and that the images he used were “easily available” online or through a media outlet.

“It was just a marketing piece to get attention,” he said. “If people are going to move, let them come and contact me if they’re coming to South Florida.”

“It’s no secret that New York has been the scene of riots and vandalism and that South Florida is a much quieter and calmer place,” Mr Swedroe added.

Corcoran Group, a luxury real estate agency where Mr Swedroe worked, quickly "disassociated" itself from the man for using the Black Lives Matter protests as a way to sell properties.

A spokesperson with Corcoran Group told the real estate site it had a “zero tolerance for this behaviour” and that the company rejected “racist and fear-based rhetoric in any form”.

The Independent contacted Mr Swedroe for a comment.